Quick Details
The Islay and Campbeltown Whisky Tour
All distillery tours and tastings are included in the cost!
Day 1
Your Islay and Campeltown whisky tour begins as you say goodbye to Edinburgh. You will travel west through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Argyll, making your way to the ferry from Kennacraig to Islay.
On your journey to the ferry, you will make a brief stop in the charming village of Inveraray. From there, it’s a short drive down the Kintyre Peninsula to Kennacraig, where you’ll board the ferry to Islay. The approximately 2-hour ferry crossing offers beautiful views of the islands of Gigha, Jura, and Islay, as well as the area around West Loch Tarbert. You can relax in the bar with an Islay whisky, enjoy lunch from the restaurant, and soak up the sea air before arriving.
On arrival in Islay the whisky fun begins, as we visit our first distillery of the tour: Bunnahabhain Distillery. Pronounced ‘Bunn-na-ha-venn’, meaning ‘mouth of the river’ in Scots Gaelic, this distillery is in a stunning location offering gorgeous views of the Paps of Jura and a range of peated and unpeated drams. Here you will be able to take a tour of the distilleries production facilities, before sampling a couple of drams from the Bunnahabhain Core Range. We will then make a stop at the wonderful Islay Whisky Vault, to sample an exciting range of Islay drams, and to explore the astonishing range of whiskies available to purchase.
It is then a short drive to Bowmore to check in to The Bowmore House or Island Bear for your 2-night stay.
Day 2
Your second day of the tour will be dedicated to exploring Islay, offering numerous opportunities for sightseeing and visiting the island’s renowned distilleries.
Your day on Islay will begin with a short visit to the Bowmore distillery, the oldest operating distillery on the island. After this, we will focus our visits on the southern “Big Peat” distilleries of the island: Laphroaig, Lagavulin & Ardbeg. At Laphroaig you will tour the distillery and join a unique tasting, which is exclusively available to those travelling with Scottish Routes. The visit to Lagavulin will include a Warehouse Tasting, where you will sample some rare and exclusive expressions, as well as drams drawn straight from the cask. At Ardbeg, you will enjoy a range of drams with a curated tasting.
Additionally, your guide will share some favorite local spots, which may include secluded beaches, whitewashed villages, and ancient sites such as the Kildalton Cross.
Day 3
Next, we will visit the family-owned Springbank Distillery, renowned for producing both peated and unpeated whisky. During our tour, you will have the opportunity to explore their facilities and gain an in-depth understanding of each step in the whisky-making process. From malting the barley to distillation and aging, you’ll witness the meticulous craftsmanship and traditional methods that make Springbank’s whiskies distinctive and highly regarded. This comprehensive tour offers a rare glimpse into the operations of one of Scotland’s most respected distilleries.
We will then travel to Stonefield Castle for our final overnight stay. The castle was built in 1837 and is set in 60 acres of woodland gardens with stunning views of Loch Fyne. They also boast an impressive whisky collection and a lovely bar to relax in.
Day 4
**Due to various reasons (weather, closures and special events) it may not always be possible to visit all distilleries mentioned. Please be aware that, if this is the case, we will ensure that suitable alternatives are found.
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Accommodation in Islay is on a B&B basis in the Bowmore House and Island Bear, near to one another in Bowmore. They offer spacious and comfortable rooms, a fantastic feast of breakfast each morning and hosts that go above and beyond for every one of their guests. There’s a reason we come back here year after year!
Our final night of accommodation is in Stonefield Castle Hotel, perched on Loch Fyne. With impressive Scottish baronial architecture, much of its original furnishings, wood panelling, ornate ceilings and marble fireplaces – it’s an unforgettable place to stay!
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- No matter what the time of year, the weather in Scotland can be “changeable”, to say the least. We suggest that you bring suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket (it has been known to rain in Scotland) and plenty of layers.
- Ensure you bring shoes suitable for short walks, on rough or uneven terrain.
- Although all the distilleries we visit accept card payments, we would also recommend bringing cash with you.
- Don’t forget a camera to snap the fantastic memories you’ll make on tour with us!
- Our scheduled tours are all 18+, if you’re lucky enough to look under 25 you may to asked to provide proof of age at the distilleries.
- Please limit your luggage to 1 x small/medium piece per person, along with 1 x small handbag or daypack.